How is 2017 almost over?! I’ve been spending a lot of time on reflecting on how hard (job changes, saying good bye to friends, and the political environment back home) and how good (arriving in Cambodia, awesome good bye adventures, and sweet moments of joy) 2017 has been to me and those close to me. How was 2017 for you?
Bullet is adjusting well to his new live here in Cambodia. (Which basically means he’s in the process of shedding his Portland winter coat. I think he should be naked by now, but it’s still coming off of him in handfuls). He’s been on mission to the neighborhood. Most Asians are a little scared of dogs (especially big ones), but a few brave kids have enjoyed petting him and getting him to give them high fives. I’m glad my title of “Bullet’s Mom” still holds true here in Cambodia!
I’m been so blessed to share my life here with Beckie, who visited for nine days. She got the chance to relax after wrapping up the Thorns season and explore her first Asian country. We even made the trek up to Angkor Wat for a little holiday outside of Phnom Penh. I’ve got another friend coming to visit in January, so if anyone would like to send belated Christmas cards or order some Daughters products please let me know and I can facilitate the transfer. (Also, if anyone wants to come visit in 2018, please let me know. I’d love to have more visitors!)
I’m looking forward to the Advent season, which I know is almost over. It’s a little tricky to get into the Christmas mood when you live in a Buddhist country that celebrates the consumeristic version of the holiday while wearing flip flops and t-shirts. How was I ever such a big skier?!
Work at Daughters has been good. I’m continuing to work on the sponsorship program. We’ve conducted five of the 13 interviews so far, these moments are some of the best parts of my job at Daughters. My exercise class continues to be a source of laughter with the women who attend. We continue to talk about healthy body image and I attempt to practice my counting in Khmer during our work out sessions. (Side note – I start formal Khmer language class in January 2018!) I’ve also taken on another project around the Operations Centre – painting! We’ve been able to secure the building for another 10 years, which is pretty unheard of in Cambodian culture, so I’m leading the charge with a Khmer male staff team of organizing and communicating the new paint colors, room-by-room. So far we’ve tackled the Training Room and Day Care Center. It’s amazing how much clean paint can improve the feeling of a room.
Shameless plug, as 2017 wraps up, if you are looking to make a last minute tax-deductible donation, please consider supporting my self and my work via Oaks Parish (PDX home church) or Daughters directly. Respond to this email and I can send you additional information on either option.
Below are some prayer requests. Again, I really love hearing from everyone back home. I hope you have some peaceful and relaxing moments both with Christ and with your family and friends this holiday season. Please send me an email and let me know the highlights (and lows) of 2017 for you.
I would really appreciate you joining me in prayer in the following ways:
- A new roommate / personal finances with the House of Healing. My roommate decided to move back to the USA so I’m on the hunt for another one to help share the burden of renting.
- For more friends my own age / outside my work space. I’m trying to find professional networking events to attend, reach out to other NGO groups, etc. If you know anyone living in Cambo, please let me know. I’d love to grab coffee with them.